On my ride today I ran into Pete Penseyres. I run into Pete here and there. A while back when my work schedule was much more flexible I would join Pete and his merry men on Wednesdays for a his weekly ride out of Bonsall. But now that I live in Orange County I don’t get a chance to see him on the road. I miss riding with Pete and hearing all his stories!
Pete’s Ultra-Cycling exploits are simply amazing! With the start of Race Across America just days from now I’m reminded of the fact that he still holds the record for the fastest average speed 15.4 mph. He held that average speed over 8 days 9 hours and 47 minutes to win the 1986 edition of Race Across America. If you don’t think 15.4 mph is fast then you should read this! I think the analysis will give you a completely new perspective
Here’s just a short list of his accomplishments:
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Penseyres’s palmares
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1979
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Tandem Team Transcontinental Record
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10d 21h 49m
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1983
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RAAM Second Place Solo
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10d 22h 2m
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1984
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RAAM First Place Solo
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9d 13h 13m
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1986
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RAAM First Place Solo
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8d 9h 47m, 15.40 mph
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1987
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Tandem Transcontinental
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7d 14h 55m, 15.97 mph
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1989
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RAAM HPV Team First Place
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5d 1h 8m, 24.02 mph
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1993
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US Master’s National Road Race Champion
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1993 – 2001
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11 Master’s National Tandem Time Trial or Road Race championships
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7th place
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1994
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24-hour HPV record (602 miles)
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1996
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RAAM Master’s Team, 50-plus
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5d 11h 21m
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I talked to Pete once at Pacific Coast Cycles in Oceanside. I’m a long time southern California roadie. Great guy, took all the time in the world to talk to me.
Pete is not only a great cyclist but a gentleman as well! I’m glad you have had the pleasure of meeting him.
Cheers,
george “Red Eyed Vireo” vargas
Furnace Creek Hall of Fame